I don't like to talk about it much, but I once served as the Russian translator for the US delegation to the UN. The Soviets would always be blathering about this or that, so I'd occassionally spice up their monologues a bit. On the day that Nikita Khrushchev pounded his shoe on the table and proclaimed "We will bury you!", I was translating "Help, help, there are ants on the table!" The US delegation broke up laughing, the Soviets were insulted, and the Cold War broke out. It's all my fault, and it still embarasses me a little.

The Fool:

As you were growing up (or now, raising children), did your family have any distinctive rituals or practices others might do well to emulate?

dswhite:

After dinner, one of our family's favorite activities was sitting around the table, holding hands and singing traditional songs. Then we go outside, tie my brother to a tree upside-down, and dance traditional Irish jigs around him for about half an hour. I think every family ought to do that (to my brother, I mean.)

The Fool:

Briefly explain how you select stocks.

dswhite:

That's a tough one; I never know if they're supposed to match my shoes or my pants. Usually I pick black or grey ones, since they seem to go with just about everything. White ones are good with tennnis shoes, while brown...what? Oh, STOCKS! Sorry.

The Fool:

Which celebrity or public figure (past or present) do you most look like?

dswhite:

Often people who see me do a double-take, and say "It's him! That guy!" Or they'll come up to me and say "You're the guy who did that thing, right? I loved that!" I smile and wave, and sign something unintelligible if they ask for an autograph.

The Fool:

Do you have a favorite company or stock which the worldwide Foolish community should know about -- and why?

dswhite:

Yes. Why? I just do.

The Fool:

List some of your favorite websites, with running commentary where appropriate. (Please provide the URLs, too.)